A term used to describe many Chinese criminal organizations. They are the most well-known organized crime group in China, Hong Kong, and Macao. They originated in the anti-Manchu resistance in China. The term "triad" comes from the three dots which form part of the Chinese character for the Ming Emperor Hung Wu. The Triads began as "Men of Hung." They were both part of the political resistance of the Han Chinese to the Manchu dynasty, as well as outlaws who "Ta fu — chih p'in" (Hit the Rich and help the poor).

Both the Chinese Triads and the Italian Mafia and Camorra have existed at least since the early 1800s. The Triads spread all over the world and control much of the illegal and informal economy in overseas Chinese communities.

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A loving, committed relationship between 3 people. All 3 people are equal in the relationship and typically sexually intimate with both of the other two. Like a marriage, but with 3 people.

Most often found between 3 gay men, but could also be (in order of likelihood) 2 men and 1 woman, 2 women and 1 man or 3 women.

A Triad is a partnership of equals and does not have the same stigmas associated with it as does polygamy which is sometimes (not always) more about a man married to and/or controlling multiple women who are not involved with each other sexually.

"Brian and Duane have been together for about 6 months, but Richard just joined them to become an official triad."

David and Cynthia have been married for a while, but Mike just moved in and they are now a triad.

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A symbol of 30 Seconds to Mars . It comes from the ancient symbol for air and is in the shape of a triangle with a line through it. It serves as an identifier for fellow fans, and two of the band members have a tattoo of the symbol on themselves.

Person 1: hey man I see you're wearing a triad necklace. are you a 30 Seconds to Mars fan?

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The sign/symbol/logo for the rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars. The image of a triangular shape with a horizontal line going through the centre of it. Also on the cover of their most recent album, This Is War. The band also had glyphs as their older symbols.

Person 1: Hey, look at this band's album cover, I bet they're into some sorta cult.
Person 2: That's Thirty Seconds to Mars, that's the triad, and, yes, this is a cult.